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Academic Policies, continued

summer session

Students are accepted into advanced degree programs by the Graduate Division only in the fall and spring semesters. Students who take course work at the graduate level in a summer session but who have not been admitted to an advanced degree program at the Manoa campus register as post-baccalaureate unclassified students. However, appropriate credit hours earned from summer session courses while in unclassified status prior to admission to the Graduate Division are countable toward an advanced degree at the recommendation of the fields of study involved. See "Post-Baccalaureate Unclassified Students" above.
Application for admission to a summer session should be made to Outreach College, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Krauss 101, 2500 Dole Street, Honolulu, HI 96822. Admission to a summer session does not imply or guarantee eventual admission to the Graduate Division.

registration

Regular Registration
Registration dates are given in the "Calendar." The Schedule of Classes, which includes registration instructions and time and place of class meetings, is issued by the Office of Admissions and Records a few weeks before registration each semester. The Schedule of Classes contains complete information about registration. 

Late Registration
Students may register for credit hours through the last day of registration. There is a fee for late registration.
The late registration period is also the final time for classified graduate students to register to audit graduate courses, in accordance with the procedures outlined under "Course Auditing."

Student Identification Numbers
The University uses social security numbers as student identification numbers. For those without social security numbers the University issues student identification numbers. Students must use the number assigned to them while enrolled at the University. Students who are issued a social security number should report this to the Office of Admissions and Records. Graduate assistants must have a social security number for payroll purposes.

Certification of Degree
Students whose bachelor's and/or master's degrees were incomplete at the time they filed applications for admission must submit an official transcript certifying completion of their degree to the Graduate Division Admissions Office. This must be submitted within 60 days after the award of the degree. Registration will be denied for the following semester to those who fail to meet this requirement.

Course Auditing
Classified graduate students may audit courses with the consent of the instructor. An audit approval form, available in the field of study department office, must be completed and presented for registration. Audit courses are entered on student transcripts with a grade of L and are included in the tuition calculation. Audit courses may not be used for purposes of determining full-time or part-time enrollment status or graduate assistantship eligibility.

Course Changes
Refer to Schedule of Classes for complete information regarding procedures for course changes.

Withdrawal from Courses
Students wishing to withdraw from a course without penalty and without a designation of the course on their record must do so by the last day of the "drop period." Students should refer to the deadlines in the Schedule of Classes. For any withdrawal after the sixth day of instruction, students must obtain the written approval of the instructor, adviser, and Graduate Division. After the ninth week, withdrawals are permitted only for extenuating circumstances beyond the student's control and only with the consent of the instructor, adviser, graduate chair, and Graduate Division. All withdrawals after the drop period will be indicated on the transcript with a W next to the course.

To withdraw from all courses prior to the beginning of classes, students should consult with the department and follow directions in the Schedule of Classes regarding use of PA'E phone registration procedures. 

Continuing students who withdraw from all courses after classes begin must obtain a Complete Withdrawal Form from the Graduate Division Records Office, obtain the necessary signatures as indicated on the form, and turn in the completed form to the Manoa Cashier's Office, Student Services 105. A semester in which a cancellation or withdrawal is made is considered a semester of nonattendance. Thus, students must petition for readmission or file a renewal application, whichever is appropriate, to return to their studies in the same field. Petitions for readmission and renewal applications are considered along with all new applications for that semester. Students who are readmitted will be subject to the degree requirements in effect at the time of readmission.

Newly admitted students who cancel or withdraw from all courses before the drop period ends (see Schedule of Classes for the date) are considered "no shows" and their admission status becomes invalid. To return to the University within the next two years, they must reapply for admission by filing a Renewal Application form. Newly admitted students who withdraw after the drop period (see Schedule of Classes for the date) must complete a Petition for Readmission form if they wish to return the following semester. Petitions for readmission are considered along with all new applications for admission for that semester. Students who are readmitted will be subject to the degree requirements in effect at the time of readmission. 

If students cease to attend classes without officially withdrawing, they will receive final grades at the instructors' discretion. If the instructor does not award a grade, an F or NC will be assigned.

Refunds for withdrawals from courses are explained in the "Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid" section of this Catalog. Students seeking tuition refunds for withdrawals from courses should go to the Cashier's Office immediately after the withdrawal form has been completed and signed. 

Denial of Registration
The dean of the Graduate Division will deny further registration to any student whose course work is below the required level or who is not making satisfactory academic progress.

enrollment requirements

Continuing Enrollment
After admission, students must be enrolled each semester (excluding summer session) for at least 1 credit hour of course work, thesis, dissertation, or research credit. Students who are not enrolled, nor on approved leaves of absence, will be regarded as withdrawn from their degree programs. They will be required to apply for readmission in accordance with established regulations if they wish to resume their studies.

Leave of Absence
A leave of absence for a period of time no longer than one calendar year may be granted to currently enrolled students in good standing (minimum GPA of 3.0) after (1) completion of at least one semester of course work relevant to the degree as a classified graduate student and (2) upon recommendation of the chair of the graduate field of study and approval by the dean of the Graduate Division. The date of return from a leave must be set at the time the leave is requested.

Students not returning from leave on time will be required to petition for readmission to the University in accordance with the established regulations. Students who are readmitted will be subject to the degree requirements in effect at the time of readmission.

Students on approved leave do not pay tuition or fees. No leave should be requested if the student will be using University facilities or faculty or staff services. Time on approved leave is not counted against the seven-year limit for completion of degree programs. 

Students on probation are not granted an approved leave of absence.

credit hours

Course Loads
Sixteen credit hours in a semester and 8 credit hours in a six-week summer session are considered maximum course loads and may be exceeded only with the approval of the graduate chair and the dean of the Graduate Division. The minimum full-time load for graduate students is 8 credit hours of course work. Courses taken for audit do not count toward determining full- or part-time enrollment status.

Eligible doctoral candidates may be considered as carrying a full academic load (full-time status) when enrolled for 1 credit hour of Dissertation 800.

Eligible master's candidates may be considered as carrying a full academic load (full-time status) when enrolled for 1 credit hour of Thesis 700 after completing all required credits for the graduate degree including the program's minimum requirements for Thesis 700.

For graduate assistants, the full-time load is 6 credit hours of course work relevant to their degree. Audit hours do not count toward the minimum. Because their duties ordinarily require 20 hours per week, they are restricted to 9 credit hours. However, with special permission from the graduate chair and the dean of the Graduate Division, graduate assistants may register for 12 credit hours, including audits.

Variable Credit Courses
The number of credit hours obtainable in most courses is stated in this Catalog and in the Schedule of Classes. Certain courses, designated (V) in Catalog course listings, offer variable credit. Students in these courses usually pursue individual work. The number of credit hours a student will earn in such a course must be approved by the instructor at the time of registration. Students must register for a definite number of credit hours and may earn no more or less than the stated number.

Graduate Credit for Seniors
Seniors at the University of Hawai'i may earn credit toward an advanced degree for some courses completed during their last semester as undergraduates provided (1) the courses taken are in excess of the requirement for the bachelor's degree and (2) such courses fulfill requirements in the prospective graduate field. A form, Petition for Submission of Credit Toward an Advanced Degree for Courses Taken by an Undergraduate, is available in the self-service rack outside Spalding 352. It must be approved by the academic adviser, the college dean, and the chair of the department in which the course is offered, and it must be filed with the Graduate Division Records Office during the registration period. The granting of such permission does not guarantee that the credit hours taken will be accepted by a graduate field of study as fulfilling degree requirements. Courses taken under this rule are counted in the graduate GPA at the time of graduation. Failure to complete the baccalaureate degree as scheduled nullifies any approval granted by the Graduate Division.

Credit by Examination
Graduate students may obtain credit by examination in courses numbered 300-498 (excluding 399) with the approval of the chair of the graduate field of study, the instructor concerned, and the dean of the Graduate Division, subject to general University regulations and procedures. There is no limit on the number of examinations that a graduate student may take during any one semester. Credit may not be obtained by examination in courses numbered 600 or above.

Extension and Correspondence Course Credits
No graduate credit is allowed for extension and correspondence courses.

Undergraduate Deficiencies
Undergraduate deficiencies are courses required by a graduate program, prerequisites, or other requirements for admission that the student did not complete prior to admission. Courses in directed research/reading are not to be used to make up deficiencies.

Transfer of Credits
Credits from institutions other than University of Hawai'i at Manoa or taken as a post-baccalaureate unclassified (PBU) at UHM can be considered for transfer upon submission of (1) a memo approved by the chair of the graduate field of study or (2) the Petition to Transfer/Substitute Credits form.

Courses being considered from institutions other than UHM must be accompanied by an official transcript, transcript guide and course syllabus if substituting for a required course.

Doctoral students may not transfer credits.

Policy Governing Transfer of Credits from Other Institutions

1. The request for transfer of credit hours must be made during the first semester the student is enrolled in the program.
2. Only credit hours from an accredited university are transferable.
3. Upon recommendation of the graduate field of study and approval by the Graduate Division, no more than one-half of the total course credits less one required in a given field of study may be transferred. However, at least one-half of the required graduate credits (numbered 600 and above) must be completed at the University of Hawai'i while a classified graduate student.
4. With prior approval from the graduate field of study and the Graduate Division, up to 6 credit hours of work completed at another accredited institution following advancement to candidacy at the University of Hawai'i may be transferred, providing such transfer does not exceed the maximum allowable.
5. Credit hours used to obtain a previous degree will not be transferred.
6. No credit hours may be transferred from another institution unless the grade is B or better. Course grades of S, CR, and P are not transferable.
7. Credit hours to be transferred must have been completed within seven years preceding the date upon which the advanced degree is to be conferred by UH Manoa.
8. Quarter credit hours are converted to semester hours by using this formula: 2/3 times number of quarter credit hours equals number of semester credit hours (rounding off to the lower whole number). Conversion is done by the Graduate Division and is calculated for the total credit hours requested for transfer rather than for individual course credit hours.
9. Credit hours earned in foreign institutions must be certified by the departments as to the equivalent level of the courses being transferred (i.e., whether 300-398, 400-498, or 600-798 level).
10. The minimum residence requirement of full-time study must be upheld regardless of the number of credit hours transferred to this University.
11. Transfer of courses to meet practicum, seminar, thesis, or dissertation requirements is not permitted.
12. Extension credits are not transferable.
13. Directed reading/directed research credits (x99) are not transferable.
14. Transfer credits are not included in GPA calculations except for the final calculations when the student graduates.

If the petition is approved, the units (or UH equivalent) will be counted as part of the student's degree program.

Double Counting
A student who pursues two distinct master's degrees at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, either simultaneously or consecutively, may apply to have up to 9 credit hours of graduate course work accepted for credit in both degree programs under the following provisions:

1. The courses being double counted are electives in both programs;
2. Written approval of the graduate chairs of both programs (only approval by the second chair is required if the degrees are being pursued sequentially) and the dean of the Graduate Division is obtained; and
3. The course work for each degree is completed within the prescribed time limits.

Dual Degree
A student in a University-approved "dual degree" program who fails to meet the academic requirements specified for that program will be dismissed from the dual degree program and the Graduate Division. 

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